We all have a source of style, a place where we learned the basics of how we decorate – where we place things, what textures and colors are most appealing, etc.  My personal style has grown and morphed into something that is very much individualistic, but the person who, well, birthed my sense of style?  My mom. 

We share a passion for all things decorating and design and LOVE to play with colors and accessory combinations.  The core of my design sense can be seen just walking around my parent’s home and noticing the small (and sometimes not so small) touches that my mom has placed around each room.  One of my favorite things about the way my mom decorates is that her style comes directly from her mother!  Keep an eye out for the color turquoise around the house — it the the official color of our family.  My grandmother, Virginia Mize, was famous for painting any and all things turquoise and her love of the color has trickled down the blood lines through my mother and into myself and my two sisters.  My dad has actually had to call an embargo on the use of the color in their home.  And the mention of my dad reminds me that I would be remiss in saying that the style and beauty of my parent’s home is only in the hands of one of them , my father has an impeccable sense of design style as well and he and my mom enjoy decorating together.

I spent the last week visiting my family in Colorado and wanted to take the opportunity to share some views of my mother’s style, I hope that you find inspiration like I have!  

Let’s start in the family room…notice the touches of asian influence throughout the room.  My mom has taken the style and made it a subtle thread throughout the great room – using asian touches but never making it a “theme”

 

Sometimes it is just the grouping of small items that you love that makes a big impact on how a room feels.  My mom has countless pieces that she groups around the house to create little “vignettes” to draw the eye.  Notice the end table, a few small, like items on a tray create a pretty accompaniment to the Amari lamp.  

Let’s move on through the rest of the lower level…

My favorite thing about this kitchen is not the granite or the tile or the cabinets, although they are beautiful.  It is that the placement of the pieces on the counter top and in the cabinets, as well as the pieces themselves, make this feel like a comfortable room and not just a place to cook pasta.  Many kitchens tend to be stark and utilitarian, this one feels warm and useful.  Some people might argue that the placement of the painting and the use of the cabinets to display “show” pieces (most of which happen to have been my grandparent’s) are not efficient uses of the space.  Sure, my parents could have put more cabinets where they chose to put the painting, or filled the glass cabinets with plates or pans, but the beauty of the room was more important than surrounding themselves with a monochromatic kitchen space.  I love the idea that the visual appeal is just as important as the efficiency of a room; this has become one of the cornerstones of my style.   In the photo below, notice how turquoise is used through the room in the pendants and even the cabinet hardware to add another dash of personality…

The main floor powder room has the same appeal, making it feel like a living space rather than a bathroom.  There are pieces of furniture and artwork (mostly by my Grandmother) as well as lamps and accessories.  Just because there is a toilet in there doesn’t mean is shouldn’t be beautiful!  Also, notice the leaves surrounding the frame of the mirror and the vase of sugared fall fruit — simple touches that make the room feel seasonal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How about some small touches that make an impact on the space… 

An empty hallway and nook are made more attractive with a flower arrangement and a Georgia O’Keeffe:

A wall inset to display some framed artwork and an extra pop of pears as an exclamation point:

A big impact wreath takes the place of the expected framed artwork in the office:

In the dining room, my grandparents have a definite presence in the use of beautiful antiques from my mother’s childhood home.  Notice the splashes of turquoise again:

The top level of the house is just as beautiful, but more personal because it is not frequented by guests to the house (unless they are actually staying there!) Here are some highlights that I love:  

The guest room features a couple of things that I love to use myself; an awesome pattern and use of color on the bed as well as layering the bedding to create a welcoming place for the guest, the trio of prints above the headboard (one of my favorites) a comfortable and elegant chair (which my daughter is enjoying in this photo) as well as a beautiful dressing table (not shown in photo) beneath windows that show a view of the Rocky Mountains…who wouldn’t want to stay there?

 

 

 

 

 

The guest bath continues the color scheme and the use of elegant accessories:

The second guest room has a different yet still relaxing feel, again, notice the turquoise curtains as a headboard:

The antiques in my parents home are beyond beautiful, and they are everywhere.  Their bedroom is an awesome mix of the pieces from my grandparent’s home and my parent’s personal style.  In an effort to provide a little privacy, I’m only showing a tidbit of their bedroom and their master bath:

The  antique dresser is incredibly personal with old family photos, perfume bottles and treasured accessories.  I use this idea in my own bedroom; that you should use the space you see most often as a display of your most loved items:

The master bath continues the theme of the rest of the house, that all available space should be made to feel like a comfortable extension of the living space, never a bland utilitarian bathroom. This room has the feel of furniture with the choice of cabinet hardware as well as mixing framed art with framed mirrors.  

 

There you are!  My teachers and design inspiration and an insider’s viewpoint of how they live.  Where does YOUR style come from?  What was your inspiration that made you care about how things look and feel in your living space?  What are your most important design theories when creating a look in your home?

As we leave my inspiration and move on to how to establish yours, just remember to follow what you love the most: colors, textures, images of your family or items that have been passed down through generations.  The MOST important thing about creating a space you love and are proud of is making sure that it feels like YOU.  Always follow your instincts and the results will be amazing.

Bye, Colorado!

(front porch pumpkins and mums)